GAME REPORT

Bogdan Tibirna and Steaua improved to 1-1- with the important home win over Antwerp

Steaua-Turabo scored the final five points of the game in the last 30 seconds to get off the mark in EuroChallenge Group F with an 80-75 victory over the Antwerp Giants.

The game was tied 75-75 when Roel Moors made a pair of free throws for the Giants with 33 seconds left.

But it was all Steaua thereafter as Hristo Nikolov nailed a three-pointer and, after Bryan Hopkins had missed a three for Antwerp, Robert Turner sealed it from the free-throw line with six seconds left.

Hopkins missed a late three for Antwerp as their time ran out.

It was a fitting end to a tight battle that had seen the lead change hands countless times as Steaua desperately fought to avoid remaining as the only winless team in the group.

Bogdan Popescu led Steaua with 19 points while Turner had 16 and Nikolov and Virgil Stanescu collected 12 each.

COACH QUOTES

Steaua-Turabo Head Coach Niksa Bavcevic:"Great victory for my team after a lot of years that Steaua played in European competitions, and we won. Thanks to our fans, for the great atmosphere and I thnik that we deserve this victory. Congrats to my players."

Steaua Player Bogdan Popescu: "We have a nice team, the game was very difficult. Hard worked win, after embaresing loss in Moscow, we fought back and we won thanks to team work and the fans. In a tough group where anybody can beat everybody, anyone can make the statement."

Steaua Captain Virgil Stanescu:"After the game from Dynamo we use it like a lesson, and I am glad to see 11 players show a big wish and show that the team is capable to do something nice even in Europe. I think this is a small step, but a step forward, that keeps us with chances in this Cup."